Updates and Pop Ups!

First of all, a huge thank you to those of you who took the time to send me a sweet note regarding my sandan grading – I might not have responded but I read every one and the votes of confidence were deeply appreciated! The grading went well and all of us passed. On a personal note, after the miscarriages and the loss of my day job I definitely felt like I lost my way a little. This grading did a lot to help get me back on the path and re-committed to my training, and to myself. I am full of gratitude for the well wishers and the people that supported me on this journey.

Next update – the March pop up is here! It’s called “overcast” even though the picture was more like “find shelter, storm watch”. I shot that from our balcony during a spring storm when we still lived downtown and had a fine view of the lake. Overcast goes from cream through shades of blue before darkening into a brown/black. A perfect pairing for denim, moody and very wearable 🙂

Next up – The Blue Brick has grown greatly in the past few months, a fact for which I am immeasurably grateful. Exposure in the United States, the feature in Vogue Knitting and our patterns have garnered us a lot more attention (ok, and our dogs). As we’ve grown, growing pains come too. As of right now I am the only dyer, and the only person answering emails, so when I am sick, or working on a large goal (such as the recent grading) things can get sticky. Ombré takes time, and we only have the ability to paint so many per day, so it’s easy for fulfillments to get behind.

We are a dyed-to-order shop and it’s very hard to keep a standing inventory for anything. I apologize for not communicating this well enough, and will try to do better but here are the facts right now: orders from us can take up to three weeks to fulfill. That sucks, no doubt about it, and I will do my best to speed things up (maybe get Tito dyeing again?), but with only one dyer we can only do so many skeins per day. All I can do is promise that the skeins are dyed with care and love and are worth it when they arrive ❤

Puppy Paw kits have officially earned $610 towards the Niagara Dog Rescue so far! Thank you everyone – you’re amazing! Together we have donated enough to sponsor 6 pups, and I’m sure more will be on the way!

Here’s the next bit – this month’s club in particular may take longer. We are away from March 8th to March 21st in the first vacation we’ve allowed ourselves since launching The Blue Brick. We’ve been through lots of great things, lots of hard things, and it’s definitely time. My parents are moving in with the dogs and we’re going to spend two weeks on Hawaii’s big island, documenting Kiluea’s lava flow and shooting from Mauna Kea’s astronomical observatory. I’m sure lots of amazing colourways will come from it 🙂

My goal is to dye as much of the club as possible before we leave. I have 8 days to churn out orders related to the club so *hopefully* we can leave on vacation without too much to worry about, but I wanted to put it out there in case we’re unable to get through it all.

Next thing! When we return it will be all hands on deck to shoot the patterns for the book. We’re almost done with the test knitting phase, and there are 12 gorgeous new patterns that take advantage of both tonal and gradient yarns. The book is scheduled for release in April, exact date TBD. It will be online, in print, and at the Knitter’s Frolic. I will also be planning a book launch party with prizes and kits for our local team here in Southern Ontario 🙂

Right after the book release we’ll be gearing up for The Knitter’s Frolic and then it’s a straight run through festival season right into the fall. What a ride! We’re super excited to meet as many of you as possible this season.

Thank you to everyone who has believed in us, helped us grow, and had patience with us as we grew, learned our limits and tried to surpass them. Every day, in every way, we’ll try to be just a little bit better ❤

Your yarns are definitely worth waiting for – and I am so excited for the new book; hoping for pre-order info! And sending you virtual hugs and positive thoughts for all you have been going through – wishing you only great things from now on!

Hi. Have a great trip. It sounds like you’ll be extremely busy. Do you think there are any plans to come to the east coast if the US anytime in the future? Specifically the NY area ?
If not , how much is shipping to the NYC area ? Thanks. Love your yarn.
Robin L.

I really love overcast…I feel after what you have been through you need a vacation. I think I am going to love my yarns when I get them but I am concerned with all the plans I am reading above. I ordered my yarns on Feb. 2nd, have not received them and have written several emails to you with no reply…I only wanted the status of my order. Now I am reading above and wondering when and if I am going to get them. I, too, am going through alot of personal pain at this time, and work as well, but find time to answer a repeated email from a customer. I am asking again on the status of my order and hoping you will be considerate of me, your customer, and give me an update. Thanks.

Hi Susan
I’m afraid I don’t have any emails from you – perhaps they’re going to the wrong address? hello@thebluebrick.ca is me. We have spoken on the phone so I thought we were on the same page regarding your order. Please do feel free to write me again with your concerns.
Best,
Shireen

You totally deserve a break! I can’t wait to see all the gorgeous colourway inspiration you find in Hawaii, that’s going to be amazing. 3 weeks is a completely acceptable turnaround time for hand dyed yarn, especially something as labour intensive as ombré. You’re doing a great job hun. Being a 1 woman show (even if you are a rock star) is not easy!